PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Silence Sounds

Published on June 26, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


For the third time in four games, pitching ruled the day as Jason Schmidt fired 7.2 scoreless innings to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (38-37) to a 2-0 triumph over the Nashville Sounds (42-33) Friday night at Isotopes Park, marking the third shutout of the series. The crowd of 11,283 on hand for the premier pitching performance brought the four-game series attendance total to 54,763, shattering the largest four-game attendance record of 47,025 set in August 2006.

The mammoth crowds witnessed a rare phenomenon as the ‘Topes posted a cumulative 0.69 ERA over 42 total innings. The Isotopes starters combined to allow just two runs during the four-game set.

After getting a an hour late start due to a rain delay, Schmidt (1-0) upheld the consistency, scattering only five hits with seven punch-outs and just one walk. The rehabbing big leaguer retired 10 batters in a row from the second to the sixth. After a leadoff single to start the game, the right-hander locked in, facing the minimum until surrendering back-to-back singles with two outs in the top of the sixth.

After tossing 104 pitches and with the bases loaded, Schmidt handed the ball to reliever Erick Threets, who would need just three pitches to strike out the dangerous Hernan Iribarren. Closer Scott Strickland (13) slammed the door, retiring the side in the ninth, putting the Sounds strikeout total at 10 and earning his 13th save of the season.

Schmidt's counterpart Lindsay Gulin (3-4) took the loss despite allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings. The Isotopes offense used the fourth inning to tag Gulin with all the runs they would need.

Chin Lung-Hu and Blake DeWitt opened the frame with back-to-back singles before a double steal set the pair in scoring position. A Jamie Hoffmann walk loaded the bags for Dee Brown who grounded to short, erasing Hoffman from the base paths, but sending home Hu for a 1-0 Isotopes edge. With DeWitt on third and Brown on first from the fielder's choice, J.D. Closser slapped a single to left to extend the ‘Topes lead to 2-0 with DeWitt easily trotting home.

Albuquerque will head to Omaha, Nebraska tomorrow for a four-game series with the O-Royals, Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Lefty Stephen Randolph (3-2, 5.79) will take the mound for the ‘Topes against Royals right-hander Matt Wright (0-4, 7.67) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Rosenblatt Stadium.

After a short trip to the Midwest, the Isotopes are back next Wednesday for a quick three-game series with the Memphis Redbirds that includes back-to-back fireworks shows on July 2 and July 3. Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2009


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